NDRRMC: Maguindanao floods affect 154K people

Floods caused by rain and the accumulation of water hyacinths along the waterways of Buluan Lake since Monday have affected more than 34,000 families, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Friday night. According to the NDRRMC, the floods have affected a total of 34,491 families or 154,750 people in 83 villages in eight towns in Maguindanao. "Water hyacinths accumulate in Buluan Lake's waterways. Due to heavy rain, Rio Grande de Mindanao, Buluan River and Alah River overflowed," it said. Affected towns and families are:

• Sultan Sa Barongis: 2,865 families/14,325 people
• Pagalungan: 4,578 families/22,890 people
• Datu Montawal: 7,841 families/21,500 people
• Paglat: 3,500 families/17,500 people
• Mother Kabuntalan: 5,314 families/26,570 people
• Buluan: 3,253 families/16,265 people
• Mangudadatu: 4,401 families/22,005 people
• Pandag: 2,739 families/13,695 people

The NDRRMC said local government units, residents and volunteers had been conducting clearing operations since last Monday. They are also studying how to hasten clearing operations against the water hyacinths. — LBG, GMA News